Soap making is a fun and rewarding hobby that anyone can enjoy. If you live in a tropical climate, you may be wondering if the soap making process is different from other climates. The good news is that the soap making process is similar regardless of where you live. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when making soap in a tropical climate.

In this article, we’ll go over the basics of soap making and provide tips for making soap in a tropical climate. We’ll also discuss how the curing process may differ in a tropical climate, and why you may not have to wait as long as recommended in other climates.

The Basics of Soap Making

Soap making involves a chemical reaction between oils, lye, and water. When mixed together, the lye and oils undergo a process called saponification, which creates soap. The basic process of making soap involves the following steps:

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients and Supplies

Before you begin making soap, it’s important to gather all of your ingredients and supplies. This includes:

• Oils: Choose a combination of oils that will work well in a tropical climate. Popular choices include coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, and shea butter.
• Lye: Lye is a caustic substance that is required to make soap. You can purchase lye from a hardware store or online.
• Distilled Water: Use distilled water to make your lye solution.
• Fragrance or Essential Oils: If you’d like to add a scent to your soap, choose a fragrance or essential oil that is suitable for use in soap.
• Colorants (optional): If you’d like to add color to your soap, you can use natural colorants such as clay or cocoa powder.
• Scale: Use a digital scale to accurately measure your ingredients.
• Safety Equipment: Wear gloves, eye protection, and long sleeves to protect yourself from the lye.
• Soap Mold: Choose a mold that is suitable for making soap, such as a silicone mold or a plastic container.
• Soap Calculator: SoapCalc is a free online tool used by soap makers to calculate the exact amount of ingredients needed to create a bar of soap with specific properties. It allows soap makers to customize their recipes by adjusting factors such as hardness, cleansing ability, and lather. SoapCalc takes into account the properties of the oils and other ingredients used to create soap, and provides detailed information on the chemical properties of the finished product. 

Step 2: Make the Lye Solution

To make soap, you’ll need to create a lye solution by mixing lye and water together. This process is called “saponification.”

• Measure out the correct amount of distilled water into a heat-resistant container.
• Slowly add the lye to the water, stirring constantly until it is completely dissolved.
• Be careful when working with lye as it can cause burns. Make sure to wear protective gloves and eye protection and work in a well-ventilated area.
• Set the lye solution aside to cool while you prepare the oils.

Step 3: Prepare the Oils

Choose a combination of oils that will work well in a tropical climate. Popular choices include coconut oil, palm oil, olive oil, and shea butter. The oils you choose will determine the properties of your soap, such as how hard or soft it is and how well it lathers.

• Weigh out the correct amount of each oil on a digital scale.
• Heat the oils in a pot on the stove, using the double boiler method, until they are completely melted.
• Allow the oils to cool to around 110°F (43°C) before adding the lye solution.

Step 4: Combine the Lye Solution and Oils

Once the lye solution and oils have cooled to the appropriate temperature, it’s time to combine them.

• Slowly pour the lye solution into the oils while stirring constantly.
• Use a stick blender to blend the mixture until it reaches “trace,” which means it has thickened to a pudding-like consistency.
• This step can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour, depending on the oils you’re using and the temperature of your workspace. 

Step 5: Add Fragrance and Color (Optional)

If you’d like to add fragrance or color to your soap, this is the time to do it.

• Add fragrance or essential oils to the mixture and stir well.
• If you’d like to add color, mix natural colorants such as clay, turmeric or cocoa powder with a small amount of oil and stir them into the mixture.

Step 6: Pour the Soap into a Mold

Once you’re happy with the texture and scent of your soap mixture, it’s time to pour it into a mold.

• Pour the mixture into a silicone mold or a plastic container lined with parchment paper.
• Use a spatula to smooth out the top of the soap.
• Tap the mold gently on the counter to release any air bubbles.

Step 7: Allow the Soap to Harden

After you’ve poured your soap into the mold, it’s important to let it harden before you can remove it from the mold. In a tropical climate, this process can happen much faster than the standard 24-48 hours.

• Depending on the oils you’ve used and the temperature of your workspace, your soap may be ready to unmold within a few hours.
• To test if your soap is ready, gently press the top of the soap with your finger. If it leaves an indentation, it’s not ready yet. If it feels firm, it’s time to unmold.
• Once your soap is ready to unmold, carefully remove it from the mold and cut it into bars.

Step 8: Cure Your Soap

While it’s true that soap made in a tropical climate may not need to cure for the full six weeks, it’s still important to let your soap cure for at least a few days to ensure that it is fully hardened and safe to use.

• Place your cut soap bars on a wire rack or parchment paper to allow them to fully harden.
• Turn the bars over every few days to ensure they dry evenly.
• After a few days, your soap should be ready to use.

Step 9: Enjoy Your Homemade Soap

Congratulations, you’ve made your own soap! Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

• Use your handmade soap in the shower, bath, or sink.
• Store your soap in a cool, dry place when not in use to extend its shelf life.
• Share your soap with friends and family, or start your own soap-making business.

Tips for Making Soap in a Tropical Climate

1. Use oils that won’t melt in hot temperatures: Coconut oil and palm oil are great choices for soap making in a tropical climate because they remain solid at room temperature.
2. Use a lower water-to-lye ratio: In a humid climate, excess moisture can cause your soap to become soft and mushy. To avoid this, use a lower water-to-lye ratio in your soap recipe.
3. Keep your workspace cool and dry: If possible, work in an air-conditioned room or in a space with good ventilation. This will help prevent excess moisture from building up in your soap.
4. Use a dehumidifier: If your workspace is particularly humid, consider using a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.
5. Monitor the temperature: Keep an eye on the temperature of your soap mixture throughout the soap making process. If the temperature gets too hot, it can cause the soap to crack to the top.  If this happens, simply spray the cracked area with rubbing alcohol and leave to soap mixture to continue hardening in the mold.
6. Add clay or charcoal: Adding clay or charcoal to your soap recipe can help absorb excess moisture and improve the texture of your soap.
7. Use a soap calculator: In a tropical climate, it’s important to use a soap calculator to ensure you’re using the correct amount of lye and oils. This will help ensure your soap turns out properly.

Why the Curing Process May Be Shorter in a Tropical Climate

The curing process is important for allowing the soap to fully saponify and become hard and long-lasting. In other climates, the curing process may take 4-6 weeks. However, in a tropical climate, the curing process may be shorter.

This is because the higher temperatures and humidity in a tropical climate can accelerate the saponification process. This means that the soap may be ready to use in as little as 2 weeks. However, it’s still important to allow your soap to cure for at least 2 weeks to ensure it’s fully hardened and long-lasting.

Making soap in a tropical climate doesn’t have to be difficult. By following the basic soap making process and using the tips outlined in this article, you can create beautiful and high-quality soap in no time. Remember to use oils that won’t melt in hot temperatures, monitor the temperature of your soap mixture, and use a soap calculator to ensure your soap turns out properly and always take safety precautions when working with lye, and to experiment with different oils and fragrances to find the perfect recipe for your needs.

And don’t forget, in a tropical climate, your soap may be ready to use in as little as 2 weeks. So go ahead and enjoy your handmade soap as soon as possible!  Happy soap making!